Remote video monitoring

Johnson Controls announces the release of the newest version of Tyco victor video management and VideoEdge NVR systems designed to provide users with mission-critical, enterprise-level solutions, while also furthering the solution’s cyber position and evolving the unification between victor/VideoEdge and Tyco Software House C•CURE 9000 security and event management platform. The release of version 5.4 offers dynamic features to flexibly support hundreds of cameras, empower facial biometrics, provide video media encryption, and improve management and organization of live and recorded video, including in C•CURE Unified environments. Strengthens cybersecurity measures “By leveraging the enhanced feature set in the latest version of the victor and VideoEdge solution, users can take an even more proactive approach to security, and easily grow the system as their video, facial biometric and analytics needs increase,” said Jammy DeSousa, senior product manager, American Dynamics, Building Technologies & Solutions, Johnson Controls. v5.4 of victor and VideoEdge strengthens cybersecurity measures to address the issue of file tamperingVersion 5.4 of victor and VideoEdge further strengthens existing cybersecurity measures to address the issue of file tampering and remote and local sabotage by encrypting the media stored on the NVRs. Other new functionalities include enhanced device addition, which adds flexibility and cuts down on time spent adding or editing cameras connected to the NVRs; integrity reports and audits for missing or modified media; and parallel recording of two video streams, providing a lower resolution option for fast download. Streamlines important monitoring functions For victor and C•CURE Unified systems, improved event configuration and robustness, area controls support, and C•CURE event editing help streamline important monitoring functions. Area controls are now unified, adding in the ability for valuable video context for remote visibility of area management. With updated facial biometrics, this release offers better runtime performance, accuracy, and the ability to simplify maintenance and bulk enrollment across the VMS with the addition of victor Identity Manager and the facial biometric engine update. Finally, organizing clips, video, and events across the enterprise has never been easier with video enhancements to master application server capabilities.

Niagara Networks, the Open Visibility Platform pioneer, and L7 Defense, a cutting-edge cyber security vendor, announces that they have formed a partnership to bring Zero Trust security to API communication running across an organization’s network. The L7 Defense application runs directly on Niagara Networks Open Visibility Platform which provides it full access to network traffic. The Open Visibility Platform offers enterprises, for the first time, on-demand deep cyber defense into their visibility layer. Network performance monitoring Open Visibility Platform is the only solution to offer network visibility and agility Ammune™ API Defense by L7 Defense monitors and evaluates the risk of requests made through an API exchange regardless of their identity or source, establishing a dynamic Zero Trust model adapted to the transient nature of APIs and North-South or East-West traffic flows. The L7 Defense solution utilizes unsupervised machine learning to determine anomalous behaviours within API communication. The Open Visibility Platform from Niagara Networks utilizes its Packetron™ powered Network Packet Broker and hosts best-of-breed applications to create an intelligence-driven visibility layer. Open Visibility Platform is the only solution to offer network visibility and agility for security and network performance monitoring by marrying the best of switching fabric speed and functionality with scalable, high-end intelligent processing. Critical cyber security foundation This unique joint solution ensures full packet visibility integrated with L7 Defense, providing automated mitigation response against API-based vulnerabilities and ensuring a more efficient and simplified security infrastructure. Unprotected APIs have been an open loophole for attackers to gain a foothold in a network" “Unprotected APIs have been an open loophole for attackers to gain a foothold in a network and carry out an attack by having a conduit for undetected command and control communication, exfiltration or the use of the API for reconnaissance or lateral movement,” said Yisrael Gross, Co-Founder and Vice President of Business Development at L7 Defense. “This exciting partnership with Niagara Networks offers a critical cyber security foundation providing customers with a new level of visibility, transparency and management.” API-Based applications Ammune’s API Defense involves three key capabilities: Discover - Auto-discovery of the web, mobile and API-based applications that provide the potential attacking surface for API attacks. Detect - Auto-detection of outliers in API behavior using the Ammune multi-profile model, which is adapted to protect from the main attack-category threats. Defend - Ammune™ can be installed in-line for proactive responses or in a monitoring mode to alert security organizations to take action. “We are delighted to announce our strategic partnership with L7 Defense and help address a critical security gap,” said Yigal Amram, Vice President of Business Development and Sales Engineering at Niagara Networks. “L7 Defense joins a growing list of partners who see the new paradigm offered by our Open Visibility Platforms, to offer customers a new advanced and flexible security posture.”

Trackforce announces the launch of its new Command Center, which removes the need for security companies to have onsite supervisors at each customer site. The Command Center achieves this with its ability to intuitively capture, process, and display essential information from the field required by supervisors to perform their duties on an easy to navigate screen, irrespective of their location. Security workforce management The Trackforce Command Center equips security supervisors stationed at a central location with the capability to remotely monitor and manage individual or multiple officers and various security situations. It also delivers a unified threat analysis across multiple sites. Security supervisors now have quicker access to existing security resources needed to manage a situation and improve response times. The Command Center also ensures that there is greater oversight and control over client sites. The Command Center is suited to security businesses with clients in various vertical market sectors As a component of the broader SaaS Trackforce security workforce management platform, the Command Center is suited to security businesses with clients in various vertical market sectors. It is scalable and will support the security company through all its growth stages without negatively impacting already tight profit margins. Customer service level The Command Center is provided with a full set of features to all security companies irrespective of size, and all users become fully operational within a few days of the Trackforce platform’s implementation and customization. “The Command Center changes the security environment from being reactive to pre-emptive, so, security teams don’t have to wait for something to happen and can make proactive decisions,” says Guirchaume Abitol, CEO and Founder of Trackforce. “It does away with disparate solutions that supervisors previously used to monitor and enhance their decision-making capabilities. This results in improved operational readiness and business efficiencies for security companies. Service standards are maintained, SLAs are met, and security companies are able to optimize the capabilities of their security supervisors. This is a win-win for security companies at a management level, supervisors at an operational level, and clients at the customer service level.” Real-Time monitoring Supervisors realize enhanced situational awareness through real-time monitoring of security officers With a responsive view of security officers and developing situations at every level, the Command Center empowers supervisors to go from a broad, regional display to site-level data. Management can also opt to zoom in and monitor individual personnel activity at any time and contact, assist, and communicate with even the most remote officers using push-to-talk and mass notification communication capabilities. Supervisors realize enhanced situational awareness through real-time monitoring of security officers. With enhanced command and control capabilities, an officer or developing situation can be tracked in no more than two clicks, on a single screen, with fewer actions than previously required. Privileged user capabilities The system has built-in security and privileged user capabilities controlling who has access to specific functionality, customer data, and officers on client sites. Supervisors have the ability to monitor and manage individual officers and teams of officers, individual sites, or a group of sites in a city, a state, across the country, or globally if needed. Over the past two decades, Trackforce has risen to become a recognized global market leader by improving security officer operations and productivity while reducing cost and risk via innovative mobile and desktop applications. The company implements solutions for clients such as Allied Universal, Whelan Security, SecurAmerica, Inter-Con Security Systems, SOS Security, G4S, and many others.

Avigilon Corporation, a Motorola Solutions company, announced that it is launching its Avigilon Blue™ platform in the United Kingdom. For Avigilon partners, the Avigilon Blue cloud service platform provides an easy-to-install, cloud-based video security solution with features and capabilities that allows them to remotely monitor and manage more sites with fewer resources. Partners can easily monitor the health of customer sites, update configurations and deploy system updates, all remotely. Key benefits Other key benefits of the Avigilon Blue platform for partners and end-users include: Patented Avigilon self-learning video analytics – technology that works with almost any IP camera already installed on site, to recognize threats with greater accuracy. Quick video verification – with easy and secure access to video via the Avigilon Blue Mobile app or a desktop browser, users can verify video clips instantly on site or remotely. Monthly subscription costs – helping provide a recurring monthly revenue opportunity for partners, while end-users enjoy the peace of mind of predictable fees for video security services. Patented Avigilon bandwidth saving technology – providing users the simplicity of using a standard internet connection, helping keep internet connectivity costs down. Avigilon Blue for businesses The Avigilon Blue solution is ideal for small and medium size businesses and distributed enterprises. It provides flexible security by allowing businesses to monitor their own security operations or enable third-party remote video monitoring service providers that use technology like I-View Now or SureView Systems to monitor their sites. “The Avigilon Blue video security platform continues to help customers globally to stay secure,” said Ryan Nolan, senior vice president of Commercial Operations at Avigilon. “We are excited to expand the Avigilon Blue platform into the United Kingdom, helping our partners create a new recurring monthly revenue stream. End-users benefit from a simple and highly effective video security solution to keep their businesses safe.”

DICE Corporation announced the launch of an all new Video Verification App at the Electronic Security Expo (ESX) in Indianapolis last week. The Video Verification App is a completely mobile browser-based tool used in conjunction with DICE’s CloudEye cloud video recording solution. If an event triggered by an alarm system occurs, app users have more control of how alarm center interaction is handled by viewing live video surveillance and other essential account information. Video Verification App The app process is simple. When an alarm is tripped, users receive an immediate notification through SMS text messages, simplifying the dispatch process and giving customers the information, they need to know to proceed. Users are then able to view live streams, determine if the alarm should be dispatched or canceled, and also speak to an operator for further assistance. Additional camera locations can also be selected from a dropdown menu to provide a well-rounded view of the premises and aid the customer in determining the best course of action. The Video Verification App can be used with most monitoring software that supports the product’s APIs Compatibility is also far-reaching with this solution. The Video Verification App is capable of being used with most monitoring software that supports the product’s APIs, including DICE’s Matrix Monitoring. Giving users more options and accessibility, central stations are able to reduce expenses from handling low priority alarms, improve operator efficiency, and encourage meaningful customer engagement through enhanced end-user communication. Compatible with video monitoring software “With over 75 percent of Americans now owning smartphones, consumers are more engaged and accessible than ever before,” said DICE Corporation President and CEO, Cliff Dice. “Advancements in new technology are opening up exciting ways to keep users connected while also offering central stations significant opportunity for growth while reducing expenses.” In addition to launching the app at ESX, the new technology also received an Innovation Award for mobile apps. “We’re pleased to bring home an award and be recognized by our peers for developing outstanding products that drive the electronic security and life safety industries,” Dice said. “By offering new products like the Video Verification App and CloudEye cloud video recording solutions, we’re cementing our reputation as one of the leading developers of video surveillance solutions for the alarm industry and beyond.”

VuWall, the provider of video wall and AV network management, and TBC Consoles — a world-class technical furniture designer, manufacturer, and installer— announced a partnership to provide customers with an affordable and efficient control room kit that addresses the specific requirements of small to midsize control rooms — and fully complements VuWall solutions. Engineered to simplify the design, quoting and purchasing, and installation process for small and medium size control rooms, the new visualization kit includes TBC SmartTrac Console System and the VuWall ecosystem in one solution. Customers simply need to add the displays of their choice for a complete control room deployment. Simple and efficient workstation Customers are requesting a simple and efficient workstation that scales to smaller environments""As the need for surveillance, monitoring, and collaboration capabilities proliferate across facilities of all sizes, customers are requesting a simple and efficient workstation that scales to smaller environments with robust monitoring and collaboration requirements," said Paul Vander Plaetse, CEO at VuWall. "TBC Consoles has long-standing expertise in designing modular technical furniture for the AV industry, making them a great partner in creating a combined solution. Now these customers have an affordable, easy-to-deploy and intuitive solution that leverages innovations often only seen in large, high-end control rooms." Powerful video wall management solutions The kit provides organizations with VuWall's flexible and powerful video wall management solutions that drives the best video wall visualization experience. It includes the VuStation KVM multiviewer, a control workstation that enables operators to seamlessly interact with multiple sources from a single keyboard and mouse on their desktop; VuScape, a series of power and modular video wall controllers for small and large-scale video walls; and VuWall Touch Panel, featuring a PoE tablet with an intuitive interface designer, that doesn't require any programming skills to configure. TBC's SmartTrac Console System is designed to meet modern surveillance and monitoring demands As an integrated platform, organizations have a comprehensive ecosystem driving the video wall that is easy to use and deploy. TBC's SmartTrac Console System is designed to meet modern surveillance and monitoring demands within a lightweight aluminum and steel-based workstation that can be combined with other consoles, carts, or accessories to allow the system to adapt to any sized control room. It features full cable management, height adjustment, rack modules built into the countertop, and the ability to mount a variety of accessories without tools. These features speed up deployment and maximize versatility for any system components and user requirements. Modular control room furniture "Our customers look to us for modern, ergonomic, and modular control room furniture," said Jansen Hahn, chief operations officer at TBC Consoles. "In these environments, we are tasked with providing workstations where the operators can view a variety of sources on multiple monitors in a setting that incorporates all hardware and software to meet their needs and allows for future expansion. “Working with VuWall allows us to suggest a package kit which does just that. We see great value in our ability to provide a number of discrete solutions that include furniture, processors, and visualization software all in one."

Global and domestic threats have highlighted the need for tighter security across all verticals. One of the technologies that has redefined situational awareness and intrusion detection is thermal imaging. Once a technology exclusively manufactured for the military operations, thermal cameras today are deployed across hundreds of security applications and continue to see strong demand in existing and emerging commercial markets. With thermal technology, security personnel can see in complete darkness as well as in light fog, smoke and rain Technology Overview And Early Adoption What distinguishes thermal cameras from optical sensors is their ability to produce images based on infrared energy, or heat, rather than light. By measuring the heat signatures of all objects and capturing minute differences between them, thermal cameras produce clear, sharp video despite unfavorable environmental conditions. With thermal technology, security personnel can see in complete darkness as well as in light fog, smoke and rain. Originally a military developed, commercially qualified technology, the first thermal cameras for military and aircraft use appeared in the 1950s. By the 1960s, the technology had been declassified and the first thermal camera for commercial use was introduced. However, it wasn’t until the late 1990s - when FLIR Systems introduced a camera with an uncooled thermal detector - when the technology began to see substantial adoption beyond government defense deployments. Installations At Critical Infrastructure Sites In the 2000s, industrial companies were some of the first adopters of thermal, using the technology for predictive maintenance to monitor overheating and machine malfunctions. In the years following the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001, there was an increase in thermal camera installations across critical infrastructure sites. Stricter security requirements drove the deployment of thermal cameras for perimeter protection, especially in the nuclear power sector. Thermal cameras produce clear video in daylight, low light or no light scenarios and their sharp images result in higher performing analytics In 2010, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Committee released its 73.55 policy, which states nuclear facilities must “provide continuous surveillance, observation and monitoring” as a means to enhance threat detection and deterrence efforts onsite. Because thermal cameras produce clear video in daylight, low light or no light scenarios and because their sharp images result in higher performing analytics, thermal cameras quickly became the preferred option for nuclear facilities. Likewise, following the 2013 sniper attack on PG&E Corporation’s Metcalf transmission substation, the Federal Energy Regulation Commission introduced the Critical Infrastructure Protection Standard 014 (CIP-014). The policy requires utilities to identify threats to mission critical assets and implement a security system to mitigate those risks. This statute also led to more thermal installations in the utility sector as thermal cameras’ long-range capabilities are ideal for detection of approaching targets beyond the fence line. The demand from both industrial and critical infrastructure entities, as well as other factors, helped drive volume production and price reduction for thermal, making the technology more accessible to the commercial security marketplace. Commercial Applications In recent years, the increasing affordability of thermal cameras along with the introduction of new thermal offerings has opened the door to new commercial applications for the technology. In the past, thermal cameras were designed for applications with enormous perimeters, where the camera needed to detect a human from 700 meters away. Locations like car dealerships, marinas and construction supply facilities can be protected by precise target detection, thermal analytic cameras providing an early warning to security personnel Today, there are thermal cameras specifically designed for short- to mid-range applications. Developed for small to medium enterprises, these thermal cameras ensure property size and security funds are no longer barriers to adoption. Lumber yards, recreation fields and sports arenas are some of the commercial applications now able to implement thermal cameras for 24-hour monitoring and intrusion detection. Affordable thermal cameras with onboard analytics have become attractive options for commercial businesses Innovation And Advancements Innovation and advancements in the core technology have also spurred growth in thermal camera deployment, providing faster image processing, higher resolution, greater video analytic capabilities and better camera performance. In particular, affordable thermal cameras with onboard analytics have become attractive options for commercial businesses that need outdoor, wide area protection. Car dealerships, marinas and construction supply locations all store valuable merchandise and materials outside. Without protection, these assets are vulnerable to vandalism and theft. However, by providing precise target detection, thermal analytic cameras provide an early warning to security personnel so that they can intervene before a crime is committed. By helping to deter just one incident, the thermal solution delivers a clear ROI. New Market Opportunities Not only are there more thermal cameras in use today than ever before, but there are also more thermal sensors being integrated with other multi-sensor systems, driving the adoption of thermal in new markets. For large perimeter surveillance applications, thermal is repeatedly being integrated with radar and drones to expand situational awareness beyond the point of fixed cameras. Users get immediate, accurate alerts of approaching targets and evidentiary class video for target assessment In the commercial market, thermal imagers are combined with optical sensors, analytics and LED illuminators into one solution that integrates with central monitoring station platforms. By bringing these technologies together, users get immediate, accurate alerts of approaching targets and evidentiary class video for target assessment. The result is a lower number of false positives, reducing the total cost of ownership for the solution. These multi-sensor solutions also feature two-way audio capabilities, which enable remote security officers to act as “virtual guards” and speak to intruders in real-time to dissuade them from illegal activity. The introduction of solutions that integrate all these state-of-the-art technologies under one unit reduces the amount of capital and infrastructure needed for deployment. Consequently, more small businesses and alarm monitoring companies can implement advanced perimeter security technologies like thermal sensors, some for the very first time. Thermal cameras have gone from military defense devices to widespread commercial security cameras Multi-Sensor Thermal Solutions Multi-sensor solutions featuring thermal are quickly gaining traction and opening the door to new business opportunities for the security channel. One of the primary reasons for the strong market interest in these systems is they enable integrators to increase their recurring monthly revenue (RMR). With intense price competition and eroding margins on CCTV equipment, integrators have to rely on RMR to grow their businesses. Offering remote video monitoring services and virtual guarding technologies is one of the best ways to do so.  Additionally, there is a clear demand for it. Central stations are continually looking for new technologies to offer their customers and businesses are interested in economical alternatives to physical guards. In conclusion, thermal cameras have gone from military defense devices to widespread commercial security cameras that are a substantial segment of the outdoor security protection market. From nuclear power plants to construction locations, thermal technology is being implemented to secure sites around the globe.

Where are video surveillance cameras headed? At the core of next-generation Internet Protocol (IP) cameras are advanced chips with artificial intelligence (AI) at the edge, enabling cameras to gather valuable information about an incident: scanning shoppers at a department store, monitoring city streets, or checking on an elderly loved one at home. Thanks to advanced chip technology, complex analytics operations are becoming more affordable across the full spectrum of surveillance cameras —professional to consumer — fueling the democratization of AI in the IP camera market.Complex analytics operations are becoming more affordable across the full spectrum of surveillance cameras Expanding The Global IP Camera Market  The video surveillance equipment market grew to $18.5 billion in 2018 and is expected to increase this year, according to IHS Markit. The latest research points to video everywhere, edge computing, and AI as the top technologies that will have a major impact in both commercial and consumer markets in 2019. Computing at the edge means that the processors inside the camera are powerful enough to run AI processing locally, while still encoding and streaming video, and are able to do it all at the low-power required to fit into the limited thermal budget of an IP camera. New SoC chips will be able to perform all of the processing on camera and provide accurate AI information, with no need to send data to a server or the cloud for processing. Instead, data can be analyzed right in the camera itself, offering high performance, real-time video analytics, and lower latency — all critical aspects of video surveillance. This new AI paradigm is made possible by a new generation of SoCs, a key driver behind the market growth of IP cameras. Complex analytics operations are becoming more affordable across the full spectrum of surveillance cameras to fuel the advent of AI in the IP camera market Micro-Processor-Enabled Video Analytics Next-generation video cameras will be able to create heat maps of stores to see where people spend the most timeMicroprocessor-enabled analytics allow users to more easily extract valuable data from video streams. How about an insider’s view into retail customer behavior? Consider video cameras at a department store, monitoring shoppers’ behavior, traffic patterns, and areas of interest. Next-generation cameras will recognize how long a shopper stays in front of a specific display, if the shopper leaves and returns, and if the shopper ultimately makes a purchase. Next-generation video cameras will be able to create heat maps of stores to see where people spend the most time, so retailers will be able to adjust product placement accordingly. Analytics will also help identify busy/quiet times of the day, so retailers can staff accordingly. By understanding customers’ behavior, retailers can determine the best way to interact with them, target specific campaigns, and tailor ads for them. Cue the coupons while the shopper is still onsite! Analytics will also help identify busy/quiet times of the day, so retailers can staff accordingly Fast Processing For Rapid Response At City Level City surveillance and smart cities are depending on advanced video surveillance and intelligence to keep an eye on people and vehicles, identify criminals, flag suspicious behavior, and identify potentially dangerous situations such as loitering, big crowds forming, or cars driving the wrong way.Quick local decisions on the video cameras are also used to help analyze traffic situations Quick local decisions on the video cameras are also used to help analyze traffic situations, adjust traffic lights, identify license plates, automatically charge cars for parking, find a missing car across a city, or create live and accurate traffic maps. Real-Time HD Video Monitoring And Recording When it comes to home monitoring, what will next-generation video surveillance cameras offer? Real-time monitoring and notification can detect if a person is in the back yard or approaching the door, if there’s a suspicious vehicle in the driveway, or if a package is being delivered (or stolen). Advanced video cameras can determine when notifications are and aren’t required, since users don’t want to be notified for false alerts such as rain, tree branches moving, bugs, etc. Next-generation video camera capabilities can also help monitor a loved one, person or pet, helping put families at ease if they are at work or on vacation. For example, helpful analytics may be used to detect if someone has fallen, hasn’t moved for a while, or does not appear for breakfast according to their typical schedule. City surveillance and smart cities are depending on advanced video surveillance and intelligence to keep an eye on people and vehicles, identify criminals, flag suspicious behavior, and identify potentially dangerous situations Next-Gen IP Cameras When evaluating next-generation IP cameras (cameras on the edge), look at the brains. These cameras will likely be powered by next-generation SoCs chips. Here is what this means to you:       Save on network bandwidth, cloud computing and storage costs. There is no need to constantly upload videos to a server for analysis. Analysis can be performed locally on the camera, with only relevant videos being uploaded. Faster reaction time. Decisions are made locally, with no network latency. This is critical if you need to sound an alarm on a specific event. Privacy. In the most extreme cases, no video needs to leave the camera. Only metadata needs to be sent to the cloud or server. For example, the faces of people can be recognized in the camera and acted upon, but the video never reaches the cloud. The cameras can just stream a description of the scene to the server “suspicious person with a red sweater walking in front of the train station, has been loitering for the last 10 minutes, suggest sending an agent to check it out.” This could become a requirement in some EU countries with GDPR rules. Easier search. Instead of having to look through hours of video content, the server can just store/analyze the metadata, and easily perform searches such as “find all people with a red sweater who stayed more than five minutes in front of the train station today.” Flexibility/personalization. Each camera at the edge can be personalized to work better for the specific scene it is looking at, compared to a generic server. For example, “run a heat map algorithm on camera A (retail) as I want to know which sections of my store get the most traffic; and run a license plate recognizer on camera B (parking lot) as I want to be able to track the cars going in/out of my parking lot.” No cloud computing required. For cameras in remote locations or with limited network bandwidth, users have the ability to perform all analytics locally, without relying on uploading video to a server/cloud. Higher resolution/quality. When AI processing is performed locally, the full resolution of the sensor can be used (up to 4K or more), while typically the video streamed to a server will be lower resolution, 1080p or less. This means more pixels are available locally for the AI engine so that you will be able to detect a face from a higher distance than when the video is streamed off camera. AI At The Edge Professional-level IP cameras capable of performing AI at the edge are coming soon with early offerings making their debut at this year’s ISC West. As we enter 2020, we will begin to see the availability of consumer-level cameras enabling real-time video analytics at the edge for home use. With rapid technology advancement and increased customer demand, AI is on the verge of exploding. When it comes to image quality and video analytics, IP cameras now in development will create a next-generation impact at department stores, above city streets, and keeping an eye on our loved ones.

There’s almost no installation that goes 100-percent smoothly in the field of video surveillance. Unexpected issues routinely arise that can increase time on the job, cost of the project and frustration. Manufacturers work on the product side to help ensure their products are easy to install and – when troublesome situations do arise – are flexible enough for installers to quickly find a remedy. Importance Of Ease Of InstallationEase of installation is a very important part of the project to the system integrator because the cost of labor is variable  Ease of installation is a very important part of the project to the system integrator because the cost of labor is variable and can be very expensive. In some cases, the cost of labor to install a camera can be more than the cost of the camera! If labor costs are high – or are more expensive than a system integrator planned – they can lose a great deal of money on a project. If a cautious system integrator includes too high of an estimate for labor in a project bid, his overall bid will to high and it could cost him the project. The easier the camera is to install, the lower the labor cost, subsequently achieving higher savings for end-users. Hence it is essential that camera manufacturers develop products that are easy to install or are flexible in the field for system integrators and installers who know that time is money. Enterprise projects can involve thousands of cameras installed Simplifying Installation Of Cameras Camera installation typically involves an electrician, the camera installer and the person who configures the VMS (Video Management Software). Of course, one person can play all three roles, and in many cases, does, but enterprise projects can involve dozens, hundreds or even thousands of cameras with teams of individuals involved in an installation. The electrician runs conduit with an electrical or PoE (Power over Ethernet) connection to the housing or the backplate of the camera; the installer then installs the camera at that location, hooking it up to power; and then a configurator adds cameras to the network and makes adjustments – renaming the camera, setting the frame rate, enabling WDR (Wide Dynamic Range), and the like. When it’s a project that involves different players for any of these functions, there is the potential for a bottleneck and delay in project completion. And if a system integrator is paying an electrician, installer and software configurator – and they are all three on site waiting for each other to finish – that’s a system integrator’s worst-case scenario. Enhancement Through Modular Cameras Video surveillance camera manufacturers like Hanwha Techwin are producing products that take different roles  Video surveillance camera manufacturers like Hanwha Techwin are producing products that take the different roles of electrician, installer and configurator into consideration, allowing them to complete their tasks independently. With a focus on modular design which includes a USB Dongle, a device manager, magnetic module and included accessories, the Wisenet X series Plus is one of the fastest cameras to install, service and upgrade – saving installers time and money. Wisenet X series Plus cameras have a detachable camera module that utilize magnets to lock into the housing for instant configuration. Electricians can run conduit with a single PoE connection to the back plate/housing while the configurator is working on configuring the camera module, allowing security professionals to later snap the camera into place in just minutes. The VMS configurator can then come and add the cameras to the network and program their functionality. Modular Cameras Offer Flexibility  In the past, an end user might determine after the camera is installed that there aren’t enough pixels on target, or they need certain different functions like video analytics for example, resulting in the time-consuming replacement of the entire camera. With modular-designed cameras, the camera module can be swapped with a new one without having to focus or replace the camera – even to change the resolution or field of view, also Wisenet X series Plus has optional PTRZ modules that can be remotely adjusted to the field of view and the position of the camera lens. Making camera adjustments in the field is also now easier and perhaps even safer. Installers have been known to climb a ladder and juggle a bulky laptop to access the network to be able to see video of how the camera is positioned. Or they’ve had to use analog video output to view the video feed on a separate monitor which provides the field of view, but not megapixel quality. Using a smartphone, the installer can wirelessly see full and not cropped quality video directly from the camera Wisenet X series Plus cameras have a USB port that allows installers to connect it to a small dongle that converts the camera to a Wi-Fi device. Using a smartphone, the installer can wirelessly see full and not cropped quality video directly from the camera. It’s a much easier way to evaluate video while at the camera. Eliminating the second person looking at live view on a computer guiding through a cellphone to the installer to accurately point the camera to the proper position. If system integrators can do some of the legwork prior to even getting on site, it can reduce cost and improve efficiency. Imagine having 300 cameras ready to send to a project site. To configure those cameras, a system integrator has to take each camera out of the box, plug each into a switch, configure it, take it off of the switch and put it back in the box. To improve this process, camera manufacturers have now developed packaging that provides access to the camera port without even having to remove it from the box. It’s an innovative solution that saves time. Modular cameras have optional PTRZ modules that can be remotely adjusted to the field of view Software Programs Help In Enhancing Installation Whether it’s a one-man show or a team of electricians, installers and configurators, software programs can greatly enhance the installation process. Device managers are important tools in adding multiple cameras to a project. Using that 300-camera project, for example, it’s easier when a manufacturer has a device manager that allows the mass programming and configuration of cameras. Adding 300 cameras one by one is time consuming and leaves room for error when making so many multiple entries. A device manager should be able to scan the network and locate its devices, allowing them to be grouped, configured and much more. Every video surveillance camera project is going to have its ups and downs. But camera manufacturers can do their part in the production process to address the many issues known to slow down progress. It’s impressive that many are taking the lead in producing innovations like modular camera design, flexibility in the field and accessible packaging that can truly reduce installation cost and improve efficiency.

Video surveillance cannot address all the security challenges in education, but it is a valuable tool and among the least obtrusive options available. And the list of security challenges that video can address grows every day. Video systems can provide real-time monitoring of school premises and facilitate rapid response to incidents. New advances such as video analytics are currently underutilized in the education arena. Historically, video has been used as a forensic tool in the education market, providing critical information about an incident after the fact. But that generalization is changing. Today, networking enables video images to be shared throughout a school system, traveling over existing networks, empowering a more centralized security management structure, and making video more valuable. In particular, higher education institutions are more likely to view live video, given the larger campuses, greater number of buildings, and more public areas where staff and students congregate. Challenges for securing a school environment Panoramic cameras are one tool to address challenges, as a single 360-degree camera can replace between 4 and 5 PTZ camerasMultiple challenges in the education market for security goods and services (from a video perspective) include wide open spaces that make securing schools with video surveillance cameras difficult since the vast amount of coverage required can be cost-prohibitive. Second, state and federal regulations must be taken into account and balanced with the need to protect student privacy. Finally, schools and colleges face dwindling budgets, which means security solutions must deliver more coverage and functionality, while also being cost-effective to deploy. Panoramic cameras are one tool to address these challenges, as a single 360-degree camera can replace between four and five traditional pan-tilt-zoom cameras, resulting in fewer cameras and more coverage – all at a lower cost for hardware and licensing. Data capture form to appear here! Intelligent cameras with video analytics Video surveillance with video analytics can be deployed to monitor areas at certain times of day. For example, once school starts, there shouldn’t be a lot of activity in the parking lot or in particular areas around the school. For these situations, intelligent cameras with video analytics can be used to detect activity in those areas of interest to alert school security that something may need their attention. Radar detection is ideal for perimeters, where a device can be set up unobtrusively to alert when someone enters a particular area. ACC 6 video management software with Avigilon Appearance Search technology provides advanced video analytics search The goal in a potentially dangerous situation is to speed up response times. The faster you’re able to detect something using technology, the faster you’re able to respond. Therefore, being able to identify something happening in a parking lot and alert school resource officers could provide 30 seconds or a minute head start for response, which can get the school into a lockdown situation and get first responders on site more quickly. Video cameras with low-Light capability There are video cameras available with extreme low-light capability to see in near-dark or complete darknessIt’s been shown that using lighting at night can deter crime. However, it can be expensive to keep a building and grounds illuminated all night, every night. To mitigate these concerns and potential costs, there are video cameras available with extreme low-light capability that allows them to see in near-dark or in some cases complete darkness. This allows a school to save money by turning lights off while achieving a level of surveillance performance similar to daytime deployments. Facing above-average student incident rates and student disciplinary concerns at some schools, a school system in the United States sought to upgrade its video surveillance system to allow better local and remote monitoring in important areas. Avigilon high-definition cameras with self-learning video analytics and access control solutions were installed in 101 schools, and ACC 6 video management software with Avigilon Appearance Search technology provides advanced video analytics search. A deep learning artificial intelligence search engine can sort through hours of footage and allow operators to click on a button and search for all instances of a person or vehicle across all cameras on a site, quickly and efficiently.

In five states in the Western United States, 200 video surveillance cameras keep are keeping watch to provide early warning of wildfires. In the near future, the number of wildfire surveillance cameras will be growing dramatically. Soon there will be more than 1,000 of the cameras in California alone, keeping watch on thousands of acres at risk of destructive events like last year’s deadly Camp and Woolsey wildfires. It is a striking example of how video surveillance technology can be used effectively beyond the realm of corporate or institutional security. The wildfire surveillance cameras are providing extra eyes to avoid a disaster before it can happen. ALERTWildfire surveillance cameras The ALERTWildfire surveillance cameras are installed through a consortium of universities – the University of Nevada, Reno; the University of California San Diego; and the University of Oregon. Dozens of partners also participate in ALERTWildfire, including the National Forest Service, other government agencies, utilities and other private companies, state and local fire departments, and NGOs (non-governmental organizations). Wildfire surveillance cameras can provide early warning when a fire starts and help firefighters respond quicker “It takes a lot of people, pushing in the same direction, to deploy cameras rapidly,” says Graham Kent, University of Nevada, Reno. “We are connected into the community, which is a positive thing.” The wildfire surveillance cameras can provide early warning when a fire starts and help firefighters and first responders scale the resources needed to respond. The cameras also monitor fire behavior until it is contained, enhance situational awareness during evacuations, and ensure fires are monitored appropriately through their demise. Axis Q6055-E PTZ network cameras ALERTWildfire currently uses Axis Q6055-E outdoor-ready pan-tilt-zoom network cameras that provide 1080p HDTV signals, 32x zoom and low-bandwidth compression. (Earlier versions of similar Axis camera models were also installed previously.) The camera’s robust aluminum casing can withstand temperatures up to 140 degrees F, although the cameras are positioned on the tops of towers where temperatures from wildfires are not a factor. In addition to surveillance cameras, each installation site includes a range of equipment including hard power or solar power (on about a third of installations), both with battery backups. Resilient, hardened microwave/fiber networks carry video signals from the cameras to servers at University of Nevada, Reno, which makes them available on the Internet. Geolinks, an ALERTWildfire partner, provides resilient Internet connectivity to mountaintops throughout the West. Firefighters can even watch fires on their mobile devices while they are en route to a fire breakout site Mobile Surveillance Dispatchers around the West have access to video from the cameras, and fire management can move the camera views through their iPhones. Firefighters can even watch fires on their mobile devices while they are en-route to a fire. Cameras are located currently in California, Nevada, Idaho, Washington and Oregon. There have been 85 cameras in place for five years or so, and the number of cameras has more than doubled since the beginning of 2019. The accelerated installation schedule is courtesy of a new policy of using existing infrastructure for cameras rather than creating it from scratch. The large number of cameras on the horizon for California is being funded by utility companies such as Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas and Electric. AI in video surveillance The public can view the camera feeds and often call 911 to report early warnings of fires The public can view the camera feeds and often call 911 to report early warnings of fires, thus providing a kind of crowdsourcing, a fire-warning version of “Neighborhood Watch.” In the future, artificial intelligence (AI) could be used to monitor the video feeds to provide early warning. For now, the system is largely used by 911 dispatchers to confirm reports of fires. “Cell phones are so ubiquitous, people call in fires before the AI could react,” says Kent. “We could never beat 911.”  A model for early detection of wildfires is in operation in San Diego, where San Diego Gas and Electric manages an emergency center that uses sophisticated real-time modeling to predict fire events based on weather conditions, vegetation, etc., tracked on a threat map. The system enables firefighting resources to be deployed quickly at the first hint of fire and thus to avoid a larger, sweeping wildfire event. Enhancing surveillance for quick wildfires detection “If you can get on top of it quickly enough, it makes all the difference,” says Kent. “In the case of extreme conditions, 10, 20 or 30 minutes can make a big difference.” Other locations are looking to replicate the San Diego model to discover and confirm fires quickly and then reposition assets to respond. Phos-Chek long-term fire retardant, applied by air from a fixed or rotor-wing aircraft, is used to slow or stop the spread of wildland fires. Our successes have led to a demand to get more cameras out right now" Installing more cameras to provide early warning of wildfires is “a grave need in the Western states,” and the system is likely eventually to be deployed in other areas, too. Wildfires can be a challenge in non-Western states such as Florida and Oklahoma, and a similar approach could also be used to provide early warning of other emergencies, such as tornados. “Once we do the West, we will be looking to do the rest of the United States,” says Kent. Increasing demand for video cameras Currently, the biggest challenge is keeping up with demand. “Our successes have led to a demand to get more cameras out right now,” says Kent. “Funding isn’t the largest issue. The money is there to do it, but we have to be able to scale up quickly, working with partners. It’s a wild ride.” Key words for success of the ALERTWildfire system are “location, location, location” combined with “coverage, coverage, coverage,” adds Kent. “We can solve 90 percent of the problem with coverage.”

From robots to drones to counter-drone solutions, a range of new technologies will be displayed at ISC West 2019. The Unmanned Security Expo will return, including a dedicated complimentary education theater for attendees offering sessions on a range of topics. UAVs, UGVs And Autonomous Systems Also included will be demos of the best UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), UGVs (unmanned ground robotics and vehicles) and autonomous systems on the market. The market growth for unmanned technologies being used for security and safety benefits is progressing at a rapid pace. Let’s look at some of the exhibitors in the 2019 Unmanned Security Expo: Cobalt Robotics' robots are purpose-built for a specific use case, providing after-hours support and security for corporate locations Cobalt Robotics' robots are purpose-built for a specific use case, providing after-hours support and security for corporate locations. Indoor environments, which are confined and controlled, present fewer navigation challenges for robots, which can quickly become familiar with the surroundings and navigate easily through an office space. Indoor robots can provide benefits beyond security, too, such as facility management, promoting employee health and safety, and emergency response Compact Surveillance Radar (CSR) System SpotterRF provides the world’s most advanced compact surveillance radar (CSR) system for affordable wide-area, all-weather perimeter security and small force protection. Incorporated in 2009, the company attained profitability quickly and is ahead of forecasts. Dedrone has remained at the front of the issue of drone threats, integrating installations to military bases, stadiums, public events, and private individuals. The company has expanded its operations to include a new office in Washington, D.C, and has continued to upgrade its DroneTracker software. DroneTracker is the industry’s first airspace security solution that includes automated summary reporting for instant diagnosis of drone airspace activity. Airspace Security And Drone Tracker Magos Systems is a state-of-the-art radar technology and perimeter protection solutions provider Magos Systems is a state-of-the-art radar technology and perimeter protection solutions provider. Founded in 2007 in Israel, Magos first specialized in advanced radar solutions for the military and defense markets. In 2015, Magos’ technology was declassified, allowing the company to focus on developing best-in-class systems for the commercial security market. Today, Magos radars are used in over 30 countries in critical infrastructure, data centers, electric utility sub stations, and oil refineries as well as in other commercial verticals like vineyards and car lots. Now, Magos is positioned to see increased adoption of its solutions in the U.S. Patriot One Technologies Inc. develops solutions to detect concealed weapons, utilizing novel radar technologies. Their innovative radar technology provides first responders and security personnel valuable time in active threat scenarios. The technology offers stand-off detection of concealed threats typically employed in public locations. These are just a few of the exhibitors in the Unmanned Security Expo. They represent technologies that will help to shape the future of the security marketplace.

It’s no surprise that a growing number of people are turning to motorbikes as their primary method of transport due to Spanish cities becoming increasingly congested. In fact, according to a 2016 study by the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA-UAB) and the UAB Department of Geography, Barcelona is now the European city with the highest number of motorbikes per inhabitant. The research found that 372,278 trips are made on motorbikes every day in the city. Motorbikes began to experience a boom in 2004 when the Spanish government enacted a regulatory measure that allowed car drivers with three years of experience to switch to motorbikes with capacity up to 125cc. The ability to avoid congestion and complete journeys more quickly promoted exponential growth. Protecting motorbikes from thieves Unattended motorbikes are vulnerable to theft and vandalism, so protecting them has become a key concernAlthough this has brought many benefits, it has also created a significant problem for users – where to park their motorbikes. Unattended motorbikes are vulnerable to theft and vandalism, so protecting them has become a key concern. Similarly, city councils are cracking down on illegally parked motorbikes that obstruct access, and are removing them from pavements and other areas. It’s this situation that prompted Alicante-based motorcyclist, Alejandro Martin, to create Mimoto Parking, along with two other biking friends. As the company’s managing director, he takes up the story and explains, “We want our customers to be able to keep their motorbikes secure and avoid the fines associated with illegal parking. By creating conveniently located facilities that can be accessed at street level, without the need to negotiate dangerous ramps, we have reinvented the parking concept. “We offer a revolutionary service where owners can safely park and also store belongings such as helmets, jackets and gloves in lockers. Users can access our parking lots on a 24/7 basis and go about their business without worrying about their motorbike’s security.” Access code to obtain a parking space Although it only operates a few sites at the moment, the response has been incredible and Mimoto Parking has plans to operate over 40 facilities by 2021 and, in order to finance this rapid expansion, Alejandro Martin and his team is looking to attract additional funding from interested parties. By registering online for free, a user is sent a six digit personal and non-transferable access code to obtain a parking space The company’s success is down to the fact that Mimoto Parking has simplicity at its heart. By registering online for free, a user is sent a six digit personal and non-transferable access code to obtain a parking space. They then identify the facility that is most convenient, key in the six-digit code via a keypad when they arrive, and enter and park. Remote monitoring via Ralset’s ARC Utilizing a ‘pay as you go’ concept, leaving users simply re-enter the same six digit code at which point Mimoto Parking automatically charges them for the duration of their stay. Each facility is remotely monitored at all times via Ralset’s alarm receiving center (ARC) and a full intercom system offers user assistance when they need it. Alejandro Martin says, “When developing Mimoto Parking we knew that our success would hinge on our ability to implement access control and intrusion detection technology that could not only guarantee the highest levels of security but also be intuitive, straightforward to roll-out across multiple sites, and be as reliable as possible. “In order to find out more about what we could do, we invited leading security integrator and PACOM approved partner, Cettec Seguridad, to come in and hear about our requirements.” integrated access and alarm controller Doors and alarm points can be partitioned into different areas of security and controlled by multiple keypads"Cettec Seguridad configured a solution based around the PACOM 8002 integrated access and alarm controller – an all-in-one platform that integrates the functionality required for a remote security system. PACOM 8002 supports auto-discovery of peripheral devices for simplified installation and all doors can be individually configured to operate via card only, PIN only, or card and PIN, with access schedules providing additional control. Furthermore, doors and alarm points can be partitioned into different areas of security and controlled by multiple keypads. The PACOM 8002 system would have to integrate seamlessly with Mimoto Parking’s mobile app and allow the ARC to monitor events at all times. Alfonso Lorenzo Robledano, business development director for Southern Europe at PACOM, states, “Cettec Seguridad asked us to make some adaptations to the PACOM Graphical Management System (GMS), which is based on a data communications platform that successfully integrates access control, alarm monitoring, video surveillance and many other building services into a single, remotely accessible system. “PACOM’s technical experts were able to modify the software’s algorithms and design new schematics to meet Mimoto Parking’s exact requirements and, in addition, deliver uninterrupted system operation, intelligent self-testing and multiple back-ups.” Manages the parking occupancy status Signs can be operated to indicate availability and the system can even be remotely reset when necessaryAs well as allowing customers to communicate directly with personnel at the ARC, the modified PACOM GMS can also manage the parking occupancy status at each site. Signs can be operated to indicate availability and the system can even be remotely reset when necessary. This level of scalability also means that new technologies can simply be added to as they are developed, offering Mimoto Parking the ability to further develop the system as required and future proof its investment. Just as importantly, PACOM and Cettec Seguridad collaborated to ensure that the system can be quickly and easily rolled out across any new sites as they are acquired. Each system controls one entry and one exit door using a single controller and keypad, which means minimal wiring and allows minor adjustments to be made as necessary. Meeting the objective of securing bikes Mimoto Parking’s Alejandro Martin is delighted with what has been achieved and praised PACOM’s willingness to work closely with his team and Cettec Seguridad to devise a unique solution. He concludes, “Our ability to keep customers’ motorbikes secure is fundamental to our success and therefore we needed to be 100 per cent confident that the technology we installed was able to meet this objective. “PACOM’s experts were a pleasure to deal with and as keen as we were to optimize our entire security and access control infrastructure. I’m looking forward to working together in the future as we expand Mimoto Parking and introduce new sites to our portfolio.”

Airbus has completed the upgrade of the Port of Sydney VTS (Vessel Traffic Services), through its maritime product family STYRIS®. Airbus’ maritime security and safety solution ensures the complete traffic monitoring of Sydney Habour and Port Botany, both managed by the Port Authority of New South Wales (Port Authority). The recently completed upgrade of Sydney’s VTS to STYRIS® comes after the agreement signed in 2010, when Airbus was initially awarded the contract to supply the Sydney VTS system. In 2019, with this upgrade Airbus offers the Port Authority the latest VTS Product Generation of Airbus, providing an efficient way to manage the increasing vessel traffic while meeting updated local VTS regulations. Radar coverage of the Sydney VTS The Airbus VTS system provides the Port Authority with real-time maritime information Airbus has also extended the radar coverage of the Sydney VTS with the integration of a new radar site, located in Circular Quay, following the relocation of the former 115 metre high AMP Building radar to a new home in Darling Harbor. With an offshore overview for pre-planning all vessel entries, the Airbus VTS system provides the Port Authority with real-time maritime information, helps organize port traffic, provide navigation assistance to vessels entering Sydney waters and ensures smooth operational conditions. Complex environment for authorities The Port of Sydney is arranged in two distinct areas: Port Jackson (commonly named Sydney Harbor), home to the famous and distinct Sydney Opera House and heritage-listed Sydney Harbor Bridge and Port Botany. While Port Botany plays a significant part in the trade handled through the Ports, Sydney Harbor also receives a large number of daily vessel movements, from small leisure boats to the largest passenger cruise ships, through the Passenger Terminals. In addition, there are large volumes of Sydney ferry services that form part of the city public transportation network with its hub is located in Circular Quay. The Sydney waters with their high density of traffic represent a complex environment to manage for the Port Authority, whose focus is not only to drive the operational efficiency of Sydney Ports but also to ensure every movement is conducted safely for all who use the busy waterways. VTS system at Sydney The Port of Sydney becomes ever busier, with over 1,200 vessel visits in 2018 including 350 cruise ships Each year, the Port of Sydney becomes ever busier, with over 1,200 vessel visits in 2018 including 350 cruise ships, some of which can carry up to 5,000 passengers plus crew, and 1.6 million passengers passing through Port Authority terminals. The VTS system is a major component of Sydney waters operational safety management and especially in the monitoring of key events such as the popular Sydney New Year’s Eve Midnight Fireworks, the Australia Day Regatta and the annual 630 nautical mile (1,170 km) Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. Responses to varied scenarios Philip Holliday, Chief Operating Officer and Habor Master Sydney at Port Authority of New South Wales (Port Authority), said: “Managing this port is a particular challenge, especially taking into account the high density of maritime traffic, which is very diverse in nature. Airbus brings state of the art maritime vessel traffic services to support responses to the many and varied scenarios that may arise: From the standard monitoring of the maritime traffic to specific requirements for enhanced reponse capability during unexpected situations.” “The longstanding and successful partnership in Australia between Airbus and the Port Authority continues with a new chapter: the upgrade of the Sydney VTS. Since 2010, Airbus has monitored the traffic of Australia’s main harbors. I’m proud that we can support the harbor authorities in their day to day challenges to make the Australian ports safer and protect people's ways of life,” said Evert Dudok, Head of Communications, Intelligence and Security at Airbus.

The National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) is a Social Health Insurance Scheme established by CAP 395 with the main objective of ensuring accessibility of health care services to all Tanzanians. The Fund has managed to expand its coverage to include councils, private companies, religious and educational institutions, private individuals, children under 18 (TOTO Afya) as well as mutual groups, whereby all members can equally access health services in all accredited health facilities. The Fund is also administering the Bunge Health Insurance Scheme, on behalf of the National Assembly. NHIF is a prestigious public institution that serves people all over Dar es Salaam and Tanzania. It has multiple sites spread over these regions. Their current surveillance platform had a few limitations of integrating third-party cameras and was not facilitating centralized monitoring for multiple locations. Matrix Sataya Samas is designed to meet diverse needs of large enterprises connected to a central location or a single site This posed a problem in managing and monitoring all sites from a single location. For this, they needed a surveillance platform that could easily integrate with multi-brand cameras as well as facilitate multi-location monitoring. Moreover, they needed a system with monitoring capacity of over 500 cameras with the facility of remote management for real-time security. Specifically designed solutions To the above challenges, Matrix Offered Sataya Samas Video Management System. It is a Video Surveillance management solution specifically designed to meet the diverse and complex needs of large enterprises having multiple sites connected to a central location or a large, single site. The system was able to integrate with 56 AXIS cameras available at its Head Quarters and other 16 cameras available at its district branch offices. All the cameras were managed at a single central server located at the NHIF HQ office. Matrix VMS provided real-time security with Intelligent Video Analytics such as Motion Detection, Intrusion Detection, Trip Wire etc. Additionally, VMS enabled monitoring and managing video surveillance from mobile phones and tablets remotely by using Matrix Mobile Application: SATATYA VISION. These features made monitoring much more reliable and easier for them. Project highlights : VMS Simultaneous User Licence - 3 Qty Mobile App (SATATYA VISION) Intelligent Video Analytics Benefits : Retention of existing Security infrastructure Reduces storage consumption with cost-saving features Centralized monitoring and management Real-time security

"The safety of others has always been a matter close to my heart", says Hans Wetzlar, Managing Director of IHRE SICHERHEIT Security Service in Bielefeld. It was out of this motivation that he founded his security company ten years ago. Together with his team, he ensures, for example, that visitors to events and trade fairs can move around safely. Mobile ‘video guards’, using Dahua's powerful video surveillance technology, are now contributing to this. Video surveillance system Video surveillance is a new addition to the portfolio of security service providers Video surveillance is a new addition to the portfolio of security service providers. "This enables us to offer our customers a much wider range of services from a single source," says Hans Wetzlar: "Even the sight of a camera can deter potential perpetrators. The inhibition threshold increases. In our experience, this means less damage to property and less theft." And if 'someone dares', the course of events is completely documented. While searching for a reliable video surveillance system, the security expert quickly came across Kruse Sicherheitstechnik in Salzkotten. The idea to develop mobile ‘video guards’ arose from this cooperation. The compact housing of the video monitor contains a great deal of technology: four high-resolution HD cameras are attached to the 6-metre-high trailer, which can record a range of up to 200 metres using motion detectors. Wide-Angle fixed cameras "When it comes to technology, we rely on Dahua Technology's products and solutions - and with good reason. The heart of this control station is the DSS server, which receives all signals from the video trailers. The advantage over other providers is that Dahua Technology's licenses are provided free of charge - regardless of whether a 4-channel or a 64-channel recorder," says Tobias Vieth of Kruse Sicherheitstechnik. The Starlight series has very good night vision and a high-performance infrared illuminator Two different camera types are mounted on the trailers: Two wide-angle fixed cameras and two Dahua Starlight series PTZ cameras. They can zoom to certain objects. The Starlight series has very good night vision and a high-performance infrared illuminator - allowing people to be seen from up to 300 metres away. Specialist trade partners "The feedback from our customers is consistently positive. Our video guard allows significantly better surveillance at the best price. With Dahua Technology at our side, we are well prepared for the future," says Hans Wetzlar. Dahua Technology remains on a growth course in Germany, Austria and Switzerland with a comprehensive benefits program for its specialist trade partners. Reliable on-site support, permanent customer advisors, dedicated project support and technical support from Germany: The comprehensive services contribute to the fact that within a short period of time a three-digit number of specialist trade partners have decided to cooperate with Dahua Technology.

Upon hearing Pablo Picasso’s famous praise of art’s ability to clear ‘the dust of everyday life’, one’s thoughts could easily turn to one of Arizona’s newest landmarks, the Mesa Arts Center. Set proudly amidst the dust of the Sonoran Desert, the Mesa Arts Center is a striking complex of buildings, art installations, and public throughways, offering a rich blend of visual impressions in glass, water, stone, and metal, with splashes of vibrant color and metallic reflection. At more than 21,000 sq. feet, the award-winning $95 million campus is the largest and most comprehensive performing, visual and educational arts complex in Arizona, serving as a gathering point for the citizens of Mesa and region alike, seeking to enjoy the indoor and outdoor spaces, public events, classes, and art exhibitions. Ensuring safe, family friendly environment Ensuring a safe, family friendly environment is essential to fulfilling the role the Center plays as a gathering pointThe presence of an adjacent light rail station and hosting of multiple festivals throughout the year further increase traffic to, from, and through the open planned site at various hours of the day, and on weekends and even holidays. The heart of the Mesa Arts Center complex is a grand promenade that knits together all of its pieces, while providing places for group gatherings, performances, and quiet reflection, comfort and relaxation. Ensuring a safe, family friendly environment is essential to fulfilling the role the Center plays as a gathering point for all walks of life. In addition to welcoming visitors to the Center, the open configuration of the complex invites commuters coming off the nearby light rail line to stroll through on their way to and from the station, and draw loiterers, would-be vandals, and itinerant populations (attracted to the semi-secluded spaces created by outdoor art installations and the complex’s fountains and water elements). Surveillance system for crime prevention Particularly outside of traditional hours of operation, such factors can increase the risk of nuisance crimes, vandalism, and petty theft, and potentially more serious crimes against visitors and staff, without a vigilant and comprehensive security and surveillance operation. Additionally, complex spaces, varied materials, and water elements increase risk for incident and accident without proper prevention and/or prompt response. A technical solution with proven power, performance, and reliability was paramount to ensure protection of property While customary approaches to similar venues have typically relied heavily on a combination of CCTV and human security guards, the size and complexity of the Mesa Arts Center campus makes a traditional manned guarding solution, even when supported by a typical surveillance technology, both cost prohibitive and potentially inadequate. Protection of property and campus safety The Mesa Arts Center is an architectural showpiece and regional destination, requiring comprehensive surveillance at all hours, every day of the year, under highly variable conditions. A comprehensive technical solution with proven power, performance, and reliability was paramount to ensure protection of property and the safety of everyone on campus. The City of Mesa, who operates the Center, in partnership with Scottsdale’s Surveillance Acquisition Response Center (SARC) and IDIS technology, provided a mix of surveillance cameras and network video recorders (NVRs) able to meet the varied requirements of a campus housing multiple art galleries, studios, performance spaces, walkways and cut-throughs, and outdoor gathering spaces; and support SARC’s innovative approach to virtual guarding, which incorporates military, police, and intelligence best practices and personnel to enhance traditional remote monitoring models and outcomes. Using Direct IP NVRs and cameras SARC monitors use IDIS’s powerful, modular, and feature-rich VMS, IDIS Solution SuiteThe City of Mesa’s previous successes implementing SARC and IDIS technology at the Mesa Grande Cultural Park made the integration of technology and monitoring selected for the Mesa Arts Center a natural fit. Featuring multiple IDIS DirectIP [model number] network video recorders (NVRs), and IDIS Direct IP [model number] cameras, with [feature set], at the heart of a comprehensive security posture, SARC monitors use IDIS’s powerful, modular, and feature-rich VMS, IDIS Solution Suite, and their unique military, law enforcement, and intelligence-derived protocols and best practices to support on-site personnel and cover the campus comprehensively at night and during other off-hours. Additionally, the IDIS solution also seamlessly integrates with, recording and managing footage from other camera installations, demonstrating the IDIS dedication to eliminating the common frustrations and complexities of security systems. SARC’s virtual guard protection The implementation of SARC’s virtual guard protection and protocols to support on-site personnel, and the highly visible, but seamlessly integrated, presence of IDIS surveillance cameras, as part of a total IDIS solution, have contributed to the Mesa Arts Center’s reputation as one of the region’s most welcoming and inviting community spaces among the area’s art lovers, families, and neighborhood’s workers (who regularly use the space without fear or discomfort as a gathering place for lunch or pathway to and from the local light rail station). The integrated on-site and virtual guarding professionals identify, deter, and document threats to the campus 24/7, the integrated on-site and virtual guarding professionals identify, deter, and document threats to the campus and those within it, using innovative surveillance application bringing together IDIS’s highest quality remote viewing and VMS offerings and SARC’s remote ‘voice down’ virtual guarding protocol, which informs those under surveillance, in real time, that they are being watched and should leave the property immediately or face consequences. Keeping people and property safe The successful implementation of this solution has placed the City of Mesa and Mesa Arts Center management at the forefront of innovation in keeping the people, places, and property under their protection safe and secure, and marked them as leaders in responsible stewardship of taxpayer, grant, and donor dollars, through the implementation of a system that provides more comprehensive coverage, measurably better outcomes, and enhanced visitor experiences 24/7, year-round for a fraction of the cost of previous manned guarding solutions.

Avigilon Corporation (‘Avigilon’), a Motorola Solutions company, announces that the New Bedford Housing Authority (‘NBHA’) in Massachusetts, USA has selected Avigilon video security solutions to help improve safety and reduce crime within its community. With close to 1,750 federal public housing units and 748 state aided units, the NBHA services over 6,000 individuals by providing safe, well-maintained and affordable housing units. New Bedford has faced challenges related to crime, which prompted the NBHA to seek out a security system that delivers actionable results to increase public safety throughout its community.  Monitor critical areas The NBHA has deployed a complete Avigilon solution to monitor 13 of its properties throughout the city The NBHA has deployed a complete Avigilon solution to monitor 13 of its properties throughout the city. The system includes more than 125 Avigilon cameras and Avigilon Appearance Search™ technology, which is powered by AI to help enable security officers to quickly sort through hours of video with ease to locate a specific person or vehicle of interest across an entire site or multiple sites that are connected to the same Avigilon Control Center™ client software. “Our goal is to provide a safe environment for our residents and deploying an Avigilon system has allowed us to monitor critical areas more efficiently and respond more quickly,” said Steven Beauregard, executive director of NBHA. Video security solutions “So far, the results are tangible as we’ve made great strides in improving the safety and security of our communities.” “The NBHA is taking significant action to proactively address crime and other security concerns to help protect what matters most: its residents,” said Ryan Nolan, senior vice president, Commercial Operations of Avigilon. “By using our AI-powered video security solutions they are able to increase the effectiveness of their security system and provide a new level of public safety.”

In the digital age, software is a component of almost all systems, including those that drive the physical security market. A trend toward hardware commoditization is making the role of software even more central to providing value to security solutions. Software developments make more things possible and drive innovation in the market. We asked this week's Expert Panel Roundtable: How do software improvements drive physical security?  

A basic tenet of sales is ABC – always be closing. But it's a principle that most professional salespeople would say oversimplifies the process. Especially in a sophisticated, high-tech market such as physical security, the required sales skills are much more involved and nuanced. We asked this week's Expert Panel Roundtable: What unique characteristics are required of salespeople in the arena of physical security systems?

The year ahead holds endless promise for the physical security industry, and much of that future will be determined by which technologies the industry embraces. The menu of possibilities is long – from artificial intelligence to the Internet of Things to the cloud and much more – and each technology trend has the potential to transform the market in its own way. We tapped into the collective expertise of our Expert Panel Roundtable to answer this question: What technology trend will have the biggest impact on the security market in 2019?